Growing up on PEI, potatoes are everywhere, and I have grown to love them.  Whether they are mashed, baked, french fries, scalloped, pan fried, boiled, microwaved ( umm a bit sketchy) I eat them all.  Over the years I have tested many techniques and added different flavoring to potatoes to kick it up a notch.  When looking for a comfort side dish I tend to lean towards the method seen below.

Now do not dismiss the fact I truly adore mashed potatoes with butter and cream but lately I have been all over SMASHED potatoes.  It is a two step process to make it happen but will never disappoint.

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Method

1. Start off by boiling the potatoes until almost fork tender.
2. Preheat oven to 400 F
3. Once the potatoes are finished boiling remove them from the water and let stand for a minute.
4. Prepare a cookie sheet or roasting pan
5. Using a heavy bottomed pot, smash the potatoes gently to just break the skin and press the potatoes down.
6. Once flat, add a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the oven until golden brown and slightly crispy.  About 25-35 minutes.
7. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: In the boiling stage, be careful not too overcook the potatoes.  You just want them softened slightly so you can “smash” them with the back of a pot.

Well I hope you enjoyed the potato talk.  Do note that they are potatoes and very versatile.  Switch it up and keep it fresh.  Another great alternative is the beloved sweet potato.  All the techniques stay true to a regular potato.  As I am typing this, I think someday I should talk about all the different types of potatoes and why some are good for baking versus boiling etc.  Maybe another time!  Have an amazing Wednesday and I will talk to you on Friday.

Take care

zesty

It’s Friday!!  Last night I was trying to think of what to make for supper and I remember picking up some green beans and I thought it would be a great side dish to go with some baked haddock.  It was so nice to have just a simple dinner after a long day.  I was really impressed with the flavor combination on the beans.  Balsamic vinegar is a great addition to any quick vegetable saute.

To finish off the beans, I topped them with Parmesan cheese and sliced almonds.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups of Green Beans
• 1 Tbsp. Water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Basil Paste
• Sea Salt
• Cracked Black Pepper
• Sliced almonds
• Parmesan Cheese

Method

1. Preheat saute pan on high and add the water and beans.







Kitty on the counter making sure everything is going according to plan.

2. Cook beans until the water dissolves about 3 minutes and then add balsamic vinegar, garlic and basil paste



3. Stir fry for another minute and add the pepper.
4. Top off with sliced almonds and Parmesan cheese
5. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: To make a garlic paste, slice the garlic finely and add a little bit of salt on the board and rub the garlic back and forth over it on the board.  The salt will break down the garlic and make a great paste for the beans.

So there you have it!  A quick and simple bean dish for absolutely everyone.  Try it and let me know what you think.  As I was eating it last night I thought that a nice addition would be a splash of some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to really quick it up.  Nonetheless I enjoyed it!

I hope you have an awesome Friday and a great Valentine’s day!  We have a busy weekend lined up with the Olympics, Jack Frost Winter Festival, and some music lessons.  Enjoy your weekend and we shall talk on Monday.

Take care

zesty